It’s a wonder anyone starts a business

Peter Crocker When talk turns to starting your own business, there’s never a shortage of someone to tut-tut to themselves... “Most small businesses fail you know.” “Never go into business with family.” “Don’t borrow from friends.” “Don’t work with your partner.” And so it goes on.

True, it’s quite possible that it won’t work out. So based on this logic I’ll go one step further and suggest that you should never start your own business with anyone, never lend or borrow money and, definitely, never get romantically involved with anyone, let alone a business partner – because there’s a real risk of disaster

To please the tut-tutters, by far the safest and most sensible option is to get a nice secure job, pop your money in a long-term fixed interest account and avoid eye contact with that hottie in accounts. Starting your own business is just way too risky.

Thankfully over a million Australian soloists think differently, and the statistics of failure are often grossly exaggerated.

There were two great comments left by readers on Flying Solo recently. One was an insightful confession left by Nick Usborne on this article:

“Back in my days as a direct response writer, I used to have this recurring nightmare. I was at the pearly gates and St. Peter asked me what I had done with my life. And I replied, 'I wrote some great junk mail!”

Another was from Luci Dawson on this article quoting some advice she was once given.

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming ‘WOO HOO what a ride!’"

So maybe every once in a while you should invest $5,000 in your sister-in-law’s ambitious online business idea, date the boss or start up that new business with your best friend.

It could be the best move you ever made (just ask Larry and Serg from Google). But it’ll possibly end in tears. Do it anyway. At the very least it will make a good story. Got a tale of success or disaster? Let us know.

Until next time.

Love your work,

Peter Crocker is a director of Flying Solo responsible for the areas of marketing and advertising. He is a business copywriter specialising in websites, videos and marketing communications.

22 comments | Add your own 1 2 3 4 | Next» View all»

The tut-tutters are usually the people who are fearful of making the leap to start their business, however jealous of you for starting yours...... Kim from Toowoomba
There is a fine line between an adventure and stupidity isn't there?
People in business generally try to reduce risk (despite the propaganda of those in steady jobs who study them).
The figures are often a problem. If I start five businesses that go nowhere, yet each time I learn something that leads to a spectacular success the sixth time - in the figures this goes down as five failures to one success.
My guess is that most of us soloists do it because we have to for our happiness and wellbeing. We probably don't make as much as we could if we held down a tedious job with an abusive or stupid boss in a worthless industry. But what does it profit a person to gain the whole world . . . as someone once said. Evan from Sydney, Australia
The quote via Luci Dawson is, I think, possibly one of the best quotes I've ever heard. It just, well, sums up life! Richard Heycock from SYdney, Australia
Took a leap from cliff to cliff, over a large divide, and though you almost slipped so close to falling to your demise, you clawed and you clawed.
(Don't tell everyone how much better the view is over here!!) Tim from Freshwater
The world is full of doubtful Sammies but those who want more from life - turn a deaf ear!! My father ended up asking what made me decide to go for it inspite of strong opposition from my mum. I had always been frightened of life and too scared to go after what I wanted, my reply...I wanted more from life and I am certainly getting it!! This journey is full of highs and lows but at least I am playing an active part in it and the people I meet along the way are fantastic. Braveheart from Perth
Gday Peter,
Great article, why start our own business? well for me, it was out of frustration because the career goalpost were always changing as they do in the entertainment industry. Recently i took a break at Christmas to reconnect with relatives after re energising and i realised how much the working environment had changed and no longer fitted into the mould. I still struggle now, but have reduced my costs and clients are increasing. I now have time to get into shape as a former bodybuilder and my time as a soloist has allowed me to focus on a weightloss book ( which in 4 weeks i have lost 8 kgs and gained 2 kilos of muscle with no supplements and only 45mins allocated to working out). I am also editing an audio comedy DVD, so that I can distribute a 2 minute sample to restaurants and venues for possible clientele, also when i create a stable income can distribute and sell the full comedy DVD online at a later date to create residual income.
As much as a good wage sounds enticing, if i had a normal job i would not be able to do the things that i am doing now. I am training to enter the novice Bodybuilding competitions, once i have a few titles then i will be able to market the book, as well as being in the entertainment industry, as a casting agent & producer potentially attract hopefully high profile personalities. I wouldnt of been able to accomplish this if i wasnt in business for myself. darrell dower( Starflexentertainmentgroup & Starflexmanagement) from Brisbane

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